Russia-Ukraine war live updates: E.U. talks to ban Russian oil make gains; U.S. veteran killed in combat

Willy Joseph Cancel, an American citizen and U.S. Marine veteran fighting in Ukraine, was killed during the Russian invasion this week, according to his family. He was 22.

Cancel, who had gone to Ukraine as part of a private military contracting company, died Monday while fighting with the international brigade of soldiers fighting against Russia, his mother, Rebecca Cabrera, told CNN. Cancel, who his mother said had been in Ukraine since March 12 or 13, is believed to be the first known American killed in action in Ukraine.

“He wanted to go over because he believed in what Ukraine was fighting for, and he wanted to be a part of it to contain it there so it didn’t come here, and that maybe our American soldiers wouldn’t have to be involved in it,” Cabrera said.

Cancel’s wife, Brittany, confirmed his death to ABC News, noting he was “eager to volunteer” to help Ukraine. She said her husband, who was a detention officer in Kentucky, leaves behind a 7-month-old son.

“My husband was very brave and a hero,” she said. “I did not expect to be a widow at 23 years old or for our son to be without a father.”